Marry Me Salmon: Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Salmon for an Elegant Lunch

If you’re searching for a show-stopping lunch that’s both simple and restaurant-worthy, Marry Me Salmon delivers irresistible flavor in every bite. This dish features tender salmon fillets seared to perfection and nestled in a luscious sun-dried tomato cream sauce—making it perfect for special occasions, entertaining, or simply elevating your midday meal. Serve it with crusty bread, pasta, or fresh greens for a complete gourmet lunch.

Overview of Marry Me Salmon

Marry Me Salmon is a lunch recipe designed to impress, bringing together the heartiness of perfectly cooked salmon and the bold richness of a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. The dish earns its romantic name thanks to its melt-in-your-mouth texture and a flavor profile so enticing, it’s said to win over anyone who tries it. The sauce combines garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, and Parmesan, bathing each salmon fillet in irresistible creaminess. Quick to prepare yet elegant in presentation, this recipe is ideal for leisurely lunches, meal prep, or any time you want to transform an ordinary day into something truly special.

Ingredients of Marry Me Salmon

• 4 salmon fillets (skinless, about 5–6 oz each)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (plus more for garnish)
• Zest and juice of 1/2 lemon

How to Make Marry Me Salmon

1. Sear the Salmon:
Pat salmon fillets dry and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the fillets (presentation side down) and sear 3–4 minutes until golden. Flip and cook 2–3 minutes more, until just opaque and nearly cooked through. Remove salmon and set aside.

2. Prepare the Sauce:
Lower heat to medium. Add minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes to the same skillet. Sauté for 1 minute, releasing the aromas. Stir in crushed red pepper flakes, oregano, and thyme. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits, and simmer for 2 minutes.

3. Make It Creamy:
Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan until melted and smooth. Add lemon zest and juice for brightness.

4. Finish the Dish:
Toss in the baby spinach and allow to wilt. Return salmon to the skillet, nestling fillets into the sauce. Spoon sauce over the top and simmer gently 2–3 minutes, until salmon is just cooked through and everything is heated.

5. Add Freshness:
Sprinkle chopped basil over the dish just before serving for color and flavor.

Instructions of Marry Me Salmon:

1. Pat dry and season salmon fillets with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a large nonstick or stainless skillet over medium-high. Sear salmon (presentation side down) for 3–4 minutes until deeply golden. Flip; cook another 2–3 minutes. Remove salmon to a plate and tent loosely with foil.
3. Add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes to the same skillet. Sauté 1 minute, stirring often.
4. Deglaze with chicken broth, scraping the pan. Add red pepper flakes, oregano, and thyme. Simmer 2 minutes.
5. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan. Simmer until sauce is slightly thickened, 2–3 minutes.
6. Add lemon zest and juice, then spinach. Wilt spinach in sauce.
7. Return salmon fillets (and any juices) to the skillet. Spoon sauce over the fillets. Simmer gently 2–3 minutes, until heated through and just cooked.
8. Sprinkle with chopped basil before serving.

Cook and Prep Times

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Servings: 4

Nutrition Information (Per Serving, Approximate)

• Calories: 485
• Protein: 32g
• Fat: 35g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Carbohydrates: 11g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 480mg

Serving of Marry Me Salmon

Present Marry Me Salmon as a gourmet lunch centerpiece. Plate each salmon fillet over a bed of sautéed spinach, or alongside fresh pasta, steamed rice, or quinoa. Garnish with extra basil and a wedge of lemon. Add a side of crusty bread to soak up the sauce, and pair with a simple green salad for balance. For a special lunch, serve with a chilled glass of white wine and enjoy immediately, while the sauce is rich and the salmon is moist and tender.